JAVONNTTE Vinyl & CDs

Review: People Of Earth strides into the New Year with a new project called The Elements Series. Part one welcomes some serious names, not least Detroit's ambient and techno master John Beltran who kicks off with 'Nuyorico' a joyous, chord-laced house groove laden with organic percussion. Javonntte's 'Tropical Feelings' is another of his textbook deep house cuts with whispered vocals bringing a spiritual vibe. Atlanta's main man Kai Alce does his do with the jazzy synth energy of shuffling house cut 'Benefit' (NDATL instrumental mix) then Byron The Aquarius pairs things back to dusty drums and humid chords on 'Sun Gods'. This one is only for the real heads.

Review: Makin' Moves ushers in 2025 with a fiery four-tracker from Detroit's Javonntte, a producer whose journey through the city's vibrant musical landscape is etched into every groove. A veteran of the early 90s house scene, Javonntte honed his craft alongside luminaries like Blake Baxter and Amp Fiddler, his experience evident in the sheer breadth and depth of this collection. 'Chicago' is a pulsating homage to his hometown, its jacking rhythms and soulful chords imbued with the spirit of the city's dance music legacy. 'Good Vibration' exudes a radiant energy, its infectious melodies and uplifting vocals a testament to the joyous side of house music. 'What' takes a darker turn, its hypnotic groove and yearning vocals conjuring images of late-night introspection and soul-searching on the dancefloor. 'White Wing Dove' is a glorious ascent, its gospel-tinged chords and soaring vocals are exemplary of Javonntte's ability to weave spirituality and dancefloor energy into a cohesive whole. A great reminder that Javonntte's deep roots in house music continue to nourish his creativity

Review: Lello Di Franco (LDF) makes a powerful return to Skylax following a sprinting Giro Romalis remix, teaming up with Detroit's Javonntte for 'People From Mars'. The new EP echoes the not entirely capturable original virtue of Detroit house, though we also hear green-skinned ETs laying surreal laser descenders over spiked beats, alienating the style from its motoric origins. 'Saved' also nods to Chicago acid, but its whale-song echoes strip an original croon of its scantness, plunging an invocation to Chi-town into a Europan alien sea. 'Love Anthem', meanwhile, on the flip, provides a pointed swing and exhalatory voice, echoing Omar S with its gritty analogues.

Review: Before relocating to New York City last year, Pontchartrain invited the legendary Javonntte over to record some material at his east-side Detroit studio. The result was the deep, down and dirty late night groove of 'Keep Dancing' (Detroit mix) while the NYC mix is a more pumping, heads-down affair on an old school electronic disco vibe with a nice dose of 303 acid for good measure. Over on the flip, 'Cirrus' is a deeper, cloudy and synth-heavy house track, which is backed by Delano Smith's dubby and hypnotic Motor City Re-Rub.

Review: Isaac Prieto is Mexico-born but Detroit based and that is presumably where he hooked up with the Motor City's assured house auteur Javonntte. The pair take a trip through scuffed-up deep house brilliance here with the chattery claps and blurting bass of spaced-out opener 'One Take' before 'Brothers In Rhythm' is a more dance-y cut with pinging kicks and detuned synths stumbling about the mix to make for a brilliant sense of mechanical funk. 'High Energy' brings edgy chord stabs over busted beats and bass and 'Lost & Found' is more kinetic analogue madness with hurried techno hi-hats, spangled pads and punchy kicks all bringing an utterly fresh type of sound.

Review: It's silly but true that anything which has the words Detroit on it will immediately get more attention than something that doesn't. 99% of the time though the music lives up to that reputation as is the case here with a fourth offering from Detroit Sound Odyssey. It's a four-tracker that sees Isaac Prieto hook up with different collaborators on each tune. Moppy and 'Double Bass' open up with a well-swung house kick and deep bass combo while the machines get a little more unhinged on 'What Do You Want' with G&J. Javonntte brings his signature depth to 'Imperfections' and Ali Orlandi adds a heavyweight downbeat headiness to 'I Like That'.

Review: 'Wanna Dance' is the new jam by deep house heavyweight Sean McCabe (Good Vibrations) and Last Forever chief Turbojazz. Said to be conceived during the lockdown period, the track recalls the energy of classic Detroit deep house and even features one of the city's favourite voices in the form of Javonntte. On the flip, the spiritual vibe of Moondance's rework calls to mind the work of Motor City legend Alton Miller, while EVM128 aka Evermean Beats really soaks up the vibe of his new hometown - London - on his nu-jazz broken beat perspective that would make even Kaidi Tatham stand up and notice.